Anti-phospholipid Syndrome Flashcards
how does APS manifest
recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis and or fetal loss
does this condition presents alongside any others
sometimes
can occur with lupus, rheumatic or autoimmune conditions
what can APS contribute to
increased frequency of strokes or MI’s (especially younger people)
what can leads to strokes in APS
secondary to in situ thrombosis or embolisation originating from valvular lesions of Libman-Sacks (sterile) endocarditis
what is the mortality rate of catastrophic APS
50%
what characterises catastrophic APS
multi-organ infarctions over a period of days to weeks
what is a common cutaneous finding
livedo reticularis
what are the investigations
might be thrombocytopenia of APTT, lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin and anti-beta 2 glycoprotein may be positive
what is its treatment
- anti-coagulation in an episode of thrombosis
- patients with recurrent pregnancy loss=LMWH (warfarin is teratogenic)
do patients who have antibodies but have never had an episode of thrombosis need anti-coagulation
no
